How do I discourage a cat from scratching furniture?

Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. It helps them keep their claws sharp while marking their territory. While it’s frustrating to come home and see your couch torn up, scratching is not a behavior that can or should be stopped. It should be redirected to and encouraged in the right places. 

Here’s what you need to know to keep cats from scratching furniture.

Deterring your cat from scratching your couch can be done with some patience and the right tactics. Trimming their claws, strategically placing scratching posts, or covering up your furniture can help stop them from scratching it.

1. Provide scratching posts

Adding scratching posts in areas where they typically already scratch can redirect them to these preferred surfaces instead. Show them where it is and what to do, and rub some catnip or silver vine Trusted Source ScienceDirect Library of peer-reviewed research around scientific, technical, and medical research. Go to source on the post to encourage them to use it. 

Be patient and let them take their time to get used to it. You can even make your own using PVC or wooden posts and carpet or thick jute rope. Give your cat a few options to see what they gravitate towards.

2. Trim their claws

Their sharp claws can wreak havoc on your couch, but trimming their claws can help protect your furniture from getting too cut up. When you trim their claws, avoid the pink part of the nail (the quick). If you cut the quick, it can be painful and bleed, and your cat may avoid nail trimming altogether. 

If you can’t do it at home, take your cat to the vet to have it done there.

3. Cover furniture

If your furniture is consistently a target, you can try covering it with thick materials like vinyl or plastic. You can also try specifically designed protective covers. These covers are made to protect your furniture and endure scratching without damaging the furniture itself. 

If you use double-sided sticky covers, be sure to spot test first to ensure that it won’t damage your furniture.

4. Use a repellent spray

A homemade repellent spray can also keep your cat away from their favorite scratching areas, like the chair or couch. Mix vinegar, water, lemon juice, and rosemary and spray it on areas you want to keep cat-free. 

But make sure not to spray your cat, just the furniture. The scent will deter them due to the strong smells from the vinegar and citrus.

5. Add textured rugs and mats

Incorporating rough-textured rugs and mats offers another great alternative for scratching. Try thick jute rugs and runners or entryway mats with a dense texture. These materials mimic the natural resistance they find in nature, providing the perfect materials for them to scratch and sharpen their nails.

6. Stick packing tape on certain areas

In certain areas, like underneath furniture, try sticking packing tape or double-sided tape along the bottom. Many cats don’t like the feel of tape on their paws, and it may deter them. However, this may not work for all cats. Some cats don’t mind tape and are more curious than discouraged by it.

7. Reward good behavior

Punishing your cat for their natural behavior will only stress them out and make them anxious. Rather than scolding, redirect their attention and reward them when they use their scratching post. 

Wait until they have completed their scratching session and immediately give them a treat. This can increase their chances of choosing the post rather than your couch for their scratching needs.

Scratching is more than just a habit — it’s an instinctual behavior in cats. It supports their physical and psychological well-being, allowing for territorial marking and mental stimulation, and keeps their claws functional.

• Claw maintenance. Cats’ claws grow in layers and need to be removed to expose the new, sharper claws. Without regular scratching, their claws can curl backward and injure their paw pad.
• Physical exercise and stretching. Scratching stretches and strengthens Trusted Source PubMed Central Archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. Go to source their upper body and spine, allowing them to have the agility cats are known for. 
• Emotional well-being. Beyond the physical benefits, scratching can also give them a sense of satisfaction and contentment, naturally helping them reduce stress. 
• Marking territory. Scratching releases a chemical from scent glands in their paws as they scratch. This scent and the visual scratch marks are their way of marking their territory. 
• Play and stimulation. Cats also use scratching for mental and physical stimulation. They usually use climbing and scratching as part of their playing behavior.

Starting on the right foot can help you successfully guide your cat’s scratching behavior in the proper direction. With the right supplies on hand from the get-go, like scratching posts, textured rugs, and nail trimmers, you can prevent your cat from turning your furniture into a scratching playground. 

It’s understandable to feel frustrated when you’re faced with trying to keep your furniture intact from your cat scratching. While it may seem like an uphill battle, sometimes the solution may be restricting access to certain areas. 

But, for most cat owners, the key is creating the right environment. By introducing a variety of scratching options and strategically deterring them, you can encourage them to focus their attention on scratch-friendly surfaces.